He was born a little early, we weren’t planning on him coming yet. We were pretty excited. ”

“Pregnancy was more difficult that I thought it would be. It was a fairly easy pregnancy overall, but the changes that went through my body I wasn’t prepared for. I had always been very confident in myself but then I started gaining weight, started getting stretchmarks, and my confidence plummeted. I went from someone who was strong and felt like I knew what I was doing to to rather soft and unsure of myself.

It took me a really long time into my pregnancy to gain some confidence back and to realize that while some people may like all of the changes… not everyone does. He’s very much worth all of the changes I’ve gone through.”

“Finding out he was a boy was really exciting. Holding him for the first time was amazing.

I went from a very long labor to a very quick C-section. Having my husband there talking me through it was so important. He got to go and cut the umbilical cord and then they brought him back and put him on my chest. That was absolutely amazing.”

“I’m learning every day how to deal with a tiny human.

I don’t know if I’ve realized any changes in my identity yet. I’ve always wanted to be a mom. It feels kind of natural.”

“All the changes are worth it. I think I let the pressures of society… Stretchmarks aren’t pretty. Weight gain isn’t fun… I let those things get to me a lot during pregnancy. Now that hes here… They are completely worth it.

I can show him how I build myself back up.”

Stacey, I hope you continue to grow and learn as a mother and maybe we can build ourselves back up together! Enjoy your brand new little miracle. Thank you so much for participating in this project and sharing yourself with us.